This is a little off topic, but I have been researching the small camper thing for awhile. Has anybody had any first hand experience with this camper, or with any Jayco products ? I’ve looked at reviews, specs, etc, on many makes and models but keep coming back to this model. Would not be doing any serious off road camping, but I would be on lots of gravel roads, and typical other camping situations. The other one I’m interested is TC Teardrops out of Wausau.

I would totally go with the TC. Jayco is basically the parent company of most trailers made in Northern Indiana. The quality of the TC is on a much higher level. From what I've seen their prices are very competitive in the Tear Drop market. They'll be at Canoecopia. Just be prepared to wait to get yours. There's a several month wait list as each trial is built to order

There is a small company in Necedah WI that makes tear drop trailers called Camp Inn trailers. I took a tour and they seem to be well made, and versatile/customizable , but I have not researched or compared any trailers. Just throwing it out there as another possible option.

Hey Walllee, I've been looking at Jayco Jay Feathers but not ready to pull the trigger yet but here's a clean used one for sale I found.

2016 Jayco Jay Feather

Several at Canoecopia. I'm going the DIY route but if I was going to buy, I really like the windows and "table" option of the Vistabule.

billconner: "Several at Canoecopia. I'm going the DIY route but if I was going to buy, I really like the windows and "table" option of the Vistabule. "

billconner - have you looked into the plans from Big Woody? I purchased a set a few years ago. They cover EVERY detail for a build. I just never built it.

Northwoodsman: "

billconner: "Several at Canoecopia. I'm going the DIY route but if I was going to buy, I really like the windows and "table" option of the Vistabule. "

billconner - have you looked into the plans from Big Woody? I purchased a set a few years ago. They cover EVERY detail for a build. I just never built it."

I've been free lancing based on original Popular Mechanics article.

Another Wisconsin Teardrop trailer manufacturer to look into is Retroride Teardrops out of Plower, WI.
I have had their 5' x 10' for coming up on 5 years and have been very happy with it's performance.
Retroride Teardrops

wallee, i have been researching small trailers for a while now and I think I have seen most of them. I am interested in the Sunray 129 which is bigger than a typical teardrop but still affordable and easily towable. You can stand up in it and it has a nice outdoor kitchen. The Sunray 109 is closer to a teardrop, would meet basic needs well, also an outdoor kitchen. There seems to be several of both available most of the time, some used and some new. Prices seem to vary a lot sometimes with no discernible difference in features. For me this is a good balance of more comfort and security than the tent camping I have been doing a lot of all my life, but still an uncomplicated and convenient minimalist approach to getting outdoors.

My retirement target date is now 16 months away (or sooner) and my wife is 7 years younger than me so I plan on using this for a LOT of solo traveling and camping getaways ranging from a few days to a few weeks...and the best part is my wife is okay with that!!


Sunray 129

While not yet an owner, when I decide a very basic add my own gear teardrop will be my route. Road Toad Very basic and made in Necedah WI, I'll outfit with the camp gear I have, solar roof panels, small single room air conditioner.
From what I have been in and see most campers use some flimsy and poor quality, yet expensive, gear to equip them. Just consider what a 2 burner Jayco stove cost or a camper air conditioner. Then go shopping for a Coleman 2 burner and a room AC at Wallmart.

butthead

Thanks for all the info guys. Lots of great options mentioned !

If you are looking at teardrop campers, I would add my endorsement to the TC Teardrops line. I have one of their 5 x 10's and am very happy with it. The quality and available options are very good. Being a teardrop, there is no inside room for anything but the mattress, but that is the characteristic of a teardrop trailer. The Jayco you mentioned has a more typical RV interior, so it is different from a teardrop.

bpaddle: "If you are looking at teardrop campers, I would add my endorsement to the TC Teardrops line. I have one of their 5 x 10's and am very happy with it. The quality and available options are very good. Being a teardrop, there is no inside room for anything but the mattress, but that is the characteristic of a teardrop trailer. The Jayco you mentioned has a more typical RV interior, so it is different from a teardrop."

Indeed it is. I guess the main thing I’m looking for is well made, quality suspension. The TC seems to have that compared to most of the others. Also , It fits the price point I’m looking at.

Blatz: "I would totally go with the TC. Jayco is basically the parent company of most trailers made in Northern Indiana. The quality of the TC is on a much higher level. From what I've seen their prices are very competitive in the Tear Drop market. They'll be at Canoecopia. Just be prepared to wait to get yours. There's a several month wait list as each trial is built to order"

As an update to this thread, even though Canoecopia isn't happening this year and TC won't be there to take orders, they are 8-11 months out. And now saying a year to get one.
I reserved a build slot and will see mine next fall.

Have you checked out Taxa products ? The Overland Edition Cricket has a beefed up suspension and an articulated hitch.
Full disclosure: I sell these. check out the Tiger Moth as well

walllee: "This is a little off topic, but I have been researching the small camper thing for awhile. Has anybody had any first hand experience with this camper, or with any Jayco products ? I’ve looked at reviews, specs, etc, on many makes and models but keep coming back to this model. Would not be doing any serious off road camping, but I would be on lots of gravel roads, and typical other camping situations. The other one I’m interested is TC Teardrops out of Wausau. "

I bought an Escapade square drop camper last year and am very happy with it (made in Mn). Has proven to be well made...so far. The fiberglass shell is one of the items that attracted me - pretty much impervious to hail, rocks, etc. They have a youtube video of them beating it with a sledge.

Just go down to Backus and get yourself a Scamp. We love our little 13 footer. You will have to wait over a year to have yours made-there's a reason they are back-ordered this long. And if you think you can buy a used one-well, you will have to pay a new price for a five year old one...yes, there is a reason for that too.

Edit: With regards to JAYCO. I am a Yoder. We were family friends with the Bontrager family who founded JAYCO. Our last names identify us with a particular religious, ethnic group. Wilbur and I were friends/classmates. We played in the original factory-an old chicken house on their farm. We were later business partners. I have no idea what the quality of their product is since they cashed in a few years ago-and Wilbur and his sibs became, in the vicinity of, 75 million dollars richer-EACH.

It's too bad you're not considering a 2015 Winnebago 2010DS
We've contemplated selling it for the last year.
Great little travel trailer in eastern Iowa :) ..........

I have been looking at tear drops for a while, I particularly like the Tag/Tab trailer line. They are a bit spendy for a trailer for just myself so I decided on the 2021 Forest River E-Pro 12RK. I ordered it in September 2020 and it has arrived at the dealer. I’ll be picking it up in the next week or two. I especially like it because of the “off road” tires and it has higher clearance from the ground. It doesn’t have a bathroom and you cant stand up in it, but those aren’t priorities for me. There are “work arounds” for those things. It has a simple covered outdoor kitchen. I think it will be perfect for what I need.

That Jayco looks pretty nice with loads of options and space.
I thought this company looked cool and interesting when I was shopping campers. If you're into the retro thing. Enjoy shopping!
https://www.vintageoverland.com/

giddyup: "


I have been looking at tear drops for a while, I particularly like the Tag/Tab trailer line. They are a bit spendy for a trailer for just myself so I decided on the 2021 Forest River E-Pro 12RK. I ordered it in September 2020 and it has arrived at the dealer. I’ll be picking it up in the next week or two. I especially like it because of the “off road” tires and it has higher clearance from the ground. It doesn’t have a bathroom and you cant stand up in it, but those aren’t priorities for me. There are “work arounds” for those things. It has a simple covered outdoor kitchen. I think it will be perfect for what I need. "

That's a cool little buggy!
You'll definitely appreciate the extra room over a teardrop if you're looking at more than long weekends. Spend a week camping in cold and rain and the extra room is well worth it! Tarps and tents only provide so much....plus if you're towing something might as well make it (more) worth it.

We purchased a TC Teardrop. Not a single regret. Works great once you get your system of organizing dialed in. We will have it at Rockford campout in May.

Canoe42: "We purchased a TC Teardrop. Not a single regret. Works great once you get your system of organizing dialed in. We will have it at Rockford campout in May. "

Nice looking setup. If I could ask, how much does what you have cost when you bought it and what a similar setup would cost today? Thx.

Canoe42: "We purchased a TC Teardrop. Not a single regret. Works great once you get your system of organizing dialed in. We will have it at Rockford campout in May. "

The one being built for us will be basically the same. But I'll add my DIY Road Shower and Awning system I made for $30.
Also getting a few Rotopax fuel and H2O cans on brackets as well as the 90w solar.

Nice rig you have there!

Pineknot, I will email you all the specifics. Lorax, do you have plans for your road shower?

Canoe42: "Pineknot, I will email you all the specifics. Lorax, do you have plans for your road shower?"

Everyone makes them a little different. "DIY Road Shower" search on YT shows many designs.
I made mine today and it came out great. $75 in materials. Beats the $300+ at the stores.
Took me maybe an hour taking my time.

I bought a $6.50 Schraeder valve (2 pack) from the auto parts store. Put 3/8" hole with a spade bit in a 4 inch PVC cap, used a little silicone sealant and seated it in the end of the cap. Used 4 1/2 feet of 4 inch PVC and went into a T that was 4" through and a 2" opening, which I glued a plug adapter. I have the 2"plug for the top, which is where I will fill it with water.
Continued my 4" PVC pretty much right into a 22* elbow to make a slight downturn. Added a small piece of remaining pipe to add the cap with the boiler drain valve. I also used a spade bit on the cap to get it close to the diameter of the threads of the valve. Heated it with a torch and screwed it in. Also used sealant and a locking brass nut on the backside.

Done. Now I'll sand the whole thing to hold flat black paint and strap it to my cargo bars on the roof rack of my truck.

Very easy.